Socializing on the Plane
 

The first rule of FlyerTalk? Don't talk about FlyerTalk.

So this got me thinking - why are we all so afraid of admitting we like to fly? I was on the 747 from MSP to ATL. I know there were at least 6 other people flying just to fly on that plane - 5 who I saw got off and right back on the return, and one who I met. I am sure a number of people in first were there for the trip alone.

So why does no one talk on the flight? We all romanticize about the golden age of flying. What made that so special - well look at the photos and memories - it was a party in the air! We had lounges in the cabins and people got up and talked and shared stories. now all anyone does is sit down, clamp headphones to their heads and zone out to a movie and a few drinks. Why do I have to feel guilty about having a conversation?

Americans don't like to socialize on a plane for someone reason . For instance in Israel it's a must everyone talks on the plane .

Chatting with the bloke next to you is pretty common here of course with respect to disturbing others.

As an Israeli I find this statement offensive, and next time we are on the same flight with you, I will give you a piece of my mind (after socializing with you)

It's a cardinal rule of all public transport - don't talk to complete strangers.

I don't care about that cardinal rule because if I've learned anything from "The Simpsons" it's that a stranger's just a friend you haven't met.

If someone on a flight seems to be receptive to conversation, I engage in it.

So then why didn't you go up to one or more of them, and strike up a conversation?

Personally, time spent in transit is "me" time and a great time to complete tasks that I otherwise push off in favour of more pressing issues. Thus, someone talking to me is an annoying distraction.

Also, as per an earlier post, talking on public transportation is a faux pas. We're all miserable and crammed in together, thus it's best to just be quiet.

This.

I'd rather not socialize on an airplane. Just because the computer plunked us in adjacent seats for a few hours I don't feel compelled to tell you my life story nor am I particularly interested in yours.

The one exception was YYZ-TPA about a week after the 9/11 restrictions were lifted. My seatmate was a woman about my age who told me that she was very frightened. We chatted for the entire flight about nothing important and when we landed she thanked me for helping make the flight easier for her.

I flew during the middle and tail-end of the "golden age." I remember airline ads and promotions that tried to paint this kind of picture. I don't remember ever having that actual "party in the air" experience (except once on a short-lived Texas airline that dressed all of the young, hot flight attendants in halter tops and short shorts).


If we had noise-cancelling headphones and portable electronic devices back in the day, we'd have used them (along with HEPA air filters).

I don't get on planes to socialize. See the threads about "annoying passengers".

I don't romanticize about the golden age of flying. The golden age of flying included everyone having to dress up (suits for men, dresses for women) and tables with a white table cloth and planes falling out of the sky.

Why do you feel the need to annoy your neighbor when he simply wants to relax, take a nap or enjoy a movie?

This. I really prefer not to engage with others while I travel. I have my reading material, my viewing material, or my work. Or I want to sleep. I don't really feel like talking. I do that all day long at my job, so my travel time is my time.

I've had a couple of incidents where my seatmate's idea of socializing was to promote their religious beliefs to a captive audience. Luckily, I travel with headphones and have politely disengaged and watched a movie or listened to music. I still greet seatmates, but I'm careful not to give the impression that I'm there to listen to what they have to say for hours.

I had one flight where the person behind me was either to timid or maybe really interested, and the sales pitch from his seatmate for his brand of religion went on for over 2 hours. Again, headphones really helped, but I did hear bits and pieces between songs.

I guess I never got the rule book.

Over the years I have had a number of great conversations on planes. If one is not in the mood, it is easy to be polite at the beginning of a flight but then immerse oneself in a computer, book or music. But, if a nice conversation is welcome and available AND THE OTHER PERSON IS RECEPTIVE, why not?

I probably have a nice conversation once a month or so. Last month, on ORD-LGA, I talked with a German who was president of a division of a multi-national CPG company. We had some common experiences, shared some restaurants in NYC and Chicago and had a thoroughly enjoyable conversation.

I do think that PED use throughout the flight will drop the occurrence of these types of conversations as people immerse themselves immediately upon boarding and only emerge on landing.